Gogebic-Ontonagon Great Start Collaborative

GOGSC is a partnership of parents, community leaders, and other concerned citizens who work together to ensure that every child in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties reaches his or her potential and enters Kindergarten safe, healthy, prepared for learning, and eager to succeed in school and in life.

What We Do

Our mission is to provide a Great Start for all children from prenatal through age eight through collaboration to ensure children are healthy, thriving, and ready to succeed in school and beyond.

Where We Are

We are located in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties. GOGSC holds meetings bi-monthly in Bergland, MI at Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District. If you are interested in attending you can call us at 906-575-3438 ext. 103 or email: hbeck@goisd.org. Our Great Start Parent Coalition holds parent networking nights, organized playgroups, symposiums, and trainings frequently throughout both counties. See the Parent Coalition page for more information.

Why It Matters

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, business owner, community planner, or simply a tax-paying citizen, investing in early childhood will affect you now and can have a huge impact on the future of your community. Research clearly indicates that quality and affordable childcare and early childhood intervention and education have the following benefits:

2. Developmentally ready to succeed in school at time of school entry,

3. Healthy, thriving, and developmentally on track from birth - third grade,

4. Prepared to succeed in fourth grade and beyond, by reading proficiently by the end of third grade.

A Great Start for every child in Michigan; safe, healthy, prepared for learning, and eager to succeed in school and in life.

Great Start Mission

The purpose of Great Start is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist all Michigan families in providing a Great Start for their children from birth through age eight.